Drug Task Force struggles to define its mission

More than 40 people attended the Port Jervis Drug Task Force meeting Jan. 17 in the Common Council chambers — more than double the number that attended when the task force began in October.

Jessica Cohen

More than 40 people attended the Port Jervis Drug Task Force meeting Jan. 17 in the Common Council chambers — more than double the number that attended when the task force began in October.

The group included educators, social service workers and local business owners.

However, it continued to struggle with defining its mission.

"The task force is a great idea and they have a great start, with support from the city council, schools and businesses," said Jeffrey Spitz, executive director of Restorative Management, a substance abuse rehab clinic with centers in Port Jervis, Middletown and Newburgh.

"They're working out the kinks, creating a purpose, identifying resources and designing activities," Spitz said. "But if they're still having the same conversation in four months, that's a problem."

Members made a number of suggestions at the meeting.

Sue Ora suggested calling the group the Tri-State Drug Task Force to assert the interstate cooperation that would be useful.

Robin Martineau, task force leader, emphasized the importance of positioning the group for grants.

Lacey Heter, community development specialist for ADAC of Orange County, said task force training should be based on a scientific model used around the country to get funding.

Others discussed having guest speakers talk about drugs at the night school where high school students who have had violent offenses take classes.

There was some discussion of lack of education as a source of drug problems, but Port Jervis Police Chief Bill Worden said that substance abuse is a problem across the socioeconomic spectrum.

Spitz said money and education are not key factors in vulnerability to drug addiction.

"Drugs don't discriminate," he said. "It's easier to hide addiction for those who have money and means. So there are not more addicts in the low socioeconomic classes, they're just more visible."

Statistically, the best predictor of drug addiction is a history of substance abuse in the family, Spitz said.

"But many factors are involved," he added. "Some people with a family background of drug abuse do choose to use; some don't. Some with no family history do. It's an addiction of intimacy, becoming intimate with drugs, not people. Drugs allow people to not cope."

Spitz said he often sees addiction to alcohol and opiates such as heroin as a way people cope with the ramifications of emotional and sexual abuse, a dysfunctional kind of pain management that becomes physically addictive.

Cocaine and other stimulants, Spitz said, produce "intellectual dependence," rather than physical.

"They allow the user to stay in their minds and rationalize and avoid emotional issues," Spitz said. "Insecure, socially awkward people may use coke to be the life of the party."

Addicts use alcohol and drugs to cope the way others might use therapy or physical exercise, he said. They might start with casual, social use and then gradually shift from "use to abuse."

"One beer becomes a six-pack. Getting to work, taking care of their relationships becomes harder," Spitz said. "They may make bad choices that result in losing relationships, having kids taken away, getting fired, health problems."

"For one, a wrist slap at work may be enough," Spitz said. "For others, being homeless with their life in danger may or may not be the bottom."

So where can the drug task force intervene?

"The task force can do as much or as little as they set out to do," Spitz said. "I don't think they have defined their mission."

The next meeting of the Port Jervis Drug Task Force will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Common Council chambers at Port Jervis City Hall, 20 Hammond St. For more information, call 469-3659 or email substancetaskforce@gmail.com.